Teens arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault

COLUMBIA — Two teens were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of robbery and assault.

Seventeen-year-olds Ethan Futhey and Dakota Schalk, both of Columbia, were charged with assault in the second degree and robbery in the second degree. Latisha Stroer, public information officer for the Columbia Police Department, said the suspects were identified and taken into custody without incident.

The victim had set up a meeting near the West Broadway Walmart on Tuesday afternoon to sell an electronic item to Futhey and Schalk, according to a news release. When he arrived, the teens assaulted him, causing injury to his eye, jaw and head. No weapons were involved, but the victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

After the crime was reported, police were able to identify the suspects with the help of the department's Detective and Street Crimes units. An arrest was made on Hialeah Drive, and the stolen electronic item was recovered, the release stated.